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Sports Reporter
TOP Japan Karate Association (JKA) Shotokan instructor Shihan Edward Mtshali, seventh dan, was recently in the country for a three-day seminar to teach and grade local black belt karatekas.

Twenty-three karatekas from various JKA dojos attempted grading to different black belt levels at the seminar held in Gweru. Seven karatekas were successfully graded to the shodan (first dan), four to the nidan (second dan) and ten were graded to the third dan.

The grading was part of a week-long training programme, which culminated into a ceremony to mark Zimbabwe JKA’s 50th anniversary. Speaking at the ceremony, Shihan Mtshali praised local karatekas for the high quality techniques and urged members to unite for the longevity of JKA in the country.

“All of us here with all our grades and knowledge, we are not going to take it with us to our graves. It’s not for you to take to the grave. It’s for you to take to the next generation,” said Shihan Mtshali.

The South African is the continent’s highest ranked black karateka the JKA Africa regional director.

Shihan Mtshali said in line with his strategy to further develop Zimbabwean karate he was prepared to help local senior instructors sixth dan Shihan Phibion Mudzenda and Shihan Gibson Sangweni attend a training seminar scheduled for Japan in April 2016.